The Prince's Mistresses were not recognized as part of the Imperial Family, and her children were not recognized as prince or princess. The best that could happen was to earn favour and take the title of duke, but with no claim of succession to the Imperial Throne.

Even so, it was possible for a Mistress to carry the Crown Prince's child, and it was customary to hold a banquet. There was no wedding ceremony, however. The Mistress who would then later become a Concubine To Leonardo when he ascends To The Imperial Throne, after his Father's passing.

This would mean, then? Rosette Would be the centre of attention, a contract would be signed with the Chancellors agreement and then she would have more authority and power like she always has wanted.

The Crown prince , Leonardo coming to visit my chambers so early in the morning was unusual… It wasn't like him.

“When Is the Banquet Ceremony happening, Elisabeth?” Leonardo questioned As he glared At me, was something on his mind or someone.

“The New Years Eve Banquet?”

“Yes that one”

“I'm assuming you know the traditions and rules surrounding my lovers?”

“No, please enlighten me Leo”

I said calmly as I looked at him, as he was now standing from across my desk slightly leaning in closer as he fiddled with one of the invitations on the desk.

I stared silently at myself in the mirror that was placed on my desk.

I was prepared for Leonardo to make her his concubine...but I didn’t realise it would happen so soon, even when he's just the heir to the throne.

Judging by the timing, the ceremony might officially happen just before New Year’s Day.

“Haaa...”

A sigh emerged from deep inside me, and I felt nauseous at the thought of everyone coming up to me on New Year’s Day to talk about it. And even if they did not speak about it to my face, I was sure to hear them whispering from behind.

 However, I could not ignore the fact that the Crown Prince  was taking in a concubine no matter how much I disliked it. I knew he liked this woman, I knew he cherished her… but all she will cause is trouble for the Empire.

There's no doubt about that, why did I feel sick about a decision he has made, that I'm not being forced to comply with!

“Simple,”

“Do you Plan to introduce her as an Imperial Concubine?”

“On the day of the New Years Eve Banquet”

“I plan to do so, Elisabeth” Leonardo said curtly, Before he then handed me a document, Wanting to me to sign it.

“There's going to be quite a number of guests, are you aware of that Leo?” 

“I'm well aware of that, my dear” 

I glanced at the document before I then looked back up at him. scanning Over the document in front of me I looked at the various words about how many benefits The Holder : “Rosette Toussaint” would get.

“!”

There was no harm to me. Really?... Leonardo's scowling gaze kept hitting my mind as he glared at me, expecting me to sign the document in front of me.

Do not tremble in front of him, I can't show him what I fear. I can't show him how much I'm scared of this.. this event i should be used to? But right now? I'm scared… terrified for what this future is this Life holds for me.

They would whisper if I showed any signs of hurt. Even though the Mistress was nipping away at my life, I didn’t want them to think it was over just because my husband loved another woman.

Jealousy was something a Crown Princess shouldn't show, a mistress shouldn't be bothering me as much as It already is.

Placing on an indifferent expression, I reviewed the document again, that would allow Rosette to become a member who was near the Imperial Family and just below us all in status.

Looking at the black dotted line on the back where I needed to sign my name and signature, I quickly did before I then handed the documents back to Leonardo, with a scowl present on my face.

*

*

*

“. . . .”

“The Crown Prince will sign the contract first. Then you sign on the thin black line below his name, underneath the Crown Princesses.”

Baron Limonet, one of the Crown Prince's secretaries, was put in charge of educating Rosette. When the Baron finished explaining the basic outline of the documents.

Rosette's eyes widened and she let out a small wail.

That was not usually a sound made by an aristocrat. Baron Limonet stared at her for a moment, flustered, while tears streamed from Rosette's eyes.

Although she was a Countess currently - she came from a background where her family line was still being punished for treason, she didn't get any benefits of having a noble upbringing as she couldn't even learn the basics of reading and writing, or even the etiquette.

“I understand what you mean, but...I have no signature.”

“You can make one.”

Rosette's face turned red in the casual way he answered.

“Ah...”

Baron Limonet finally realised why Rosette was struggling.

“You don’t know how to write?”

When Baron Limonet was assigned to Rosette, the Prince had told him she was a noble with a very bad family background, never specifying what family as it would cause deep trouble in the empire, and so he assumed that she had the basic education of a noble…

Perhaps the rumours were true about this beautiful lady. That the Prince has favoured was indeed from a terrible background.

Afterall - there wasn't much interest in learning How to read and write,  if you're  going to fall into slavery one day as they can't even afford to pay their own debts.

“I suppose you don’t know.”

He wanted to ask her if her family was as close to falling into slavery, as the various tabloids suggested, but he smiled, pretending not to know, and set down a blank sheet of paper in front of her. It would not be easy to teach her to write in a few days, but she could quickly learn how to draw her name.

“If you don’t know how to spell your name, I’ll write down several versions that sound like Rosette,’ and you can choose one and memorise it.”

Fortunately, Rosette quickly mastered spelling, she was always known to be quite intelligent for her age and upbringing.. It should’ve been a frustrating task for someone who came from that background and Baron Limonet was astonished by her courage and determination

Scribble , scribble,  scribbled 

“Am I doing alright?”

“You’re doing excellently.”

After praising her and receiving a smile in return, Baron Limonet explained what she could expect from the signing ceremony, knowing that it only needed the signature from the Empress - Leonardo's mother.

“There will be a big banquet for New Years Eve and all the nobles will be there. Lady Rosette can invite as many friends as she wants.”

“Wow.”

“When the chancellor comes up to you and unfolds the government documents, you sign it.”

“The documents–”

“The chancellor will keep it safe.”

Rosette stamped her feet in delight and let out a small squeal. Baron Limonet watched her for a moment before adding another thing.

“This is not an obligation, but...”

“?”

“Sometimes the empress sends a gift to the concubine when she signs the contract.”

“A gift?”

“Yes!”

“That's what I had heard at least from the Concubines that the Current Emperor has!”

“The Empress is the owner of the palace.”

“...”

“From the viewpoint of the owner, a concubine is one that will live with them in the future. This means the concubine not only receives the Empress & Emperor's respect and acknowledgment, but the courts in general! AS well if she is given a gift. If there are several concubines, the ones that receive a gift from the empress are regarded as the top concubines.”

“That is how it has always worked in our society, Miss Rosette”

Rosette suddenly looked insecure.

“So Rosette will receive a gift from the Empress?”

Receiving a gift from the Current Empress was seen as something that heightened your status in society and made you more known in general. Her majesty? Is known to be quite a kind and generous person and I'm sure that she would send you a gift and think of myself like another daughter… like how she cherishes and loves Elisabeth!

I don't like sharing a husband with that woman… Elisabeth! But I'll do what it takes to restore my family To what it once was! My father's counting on me!